The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series] (27 page)

"Sounds wonderful,” Jennifer said, pulling out a chair at the kitchen table.

Soon, Laura joined them. “Okay, why aren't we taking my car? You won't be able to park in the lot at school because you don't have a sticker and you could get towed."

"Hawkman and I discussed this. So we'll park across the street at the shopping center."

"Who?” Violet asked.

"Hawkman is Mr. Casey's nickname,” Laura said grinning. “I'll explain it to you later.” She then turned her attention to Jennifer. “How come he parked there without a problem?"

"Because he's a private investigator and only had to flash his badge."

"Got it. Now, why the change?"

Jennifer explained what had happened to Brett last night after they left the ranch.

Laura's expression turned somber. “Cindy's gone off her rocker."

"Or about to, so Hawkman's going to keep close tabs on her today. We didn't want your car exposed to any damage, and hope to keep her guessing.” Jennifer pointed to the GPS bracelet on Laura's wrist. “Keep that on at all times, even if you go out with Brett."

"Don't worry, I never take it off. By the way, if Brett and I do go out this weekend, should we transfer the GPS magnet on my car over to his?"

"Let me ask Hawkman about the tracker. It sounds like a good idea. I'll let you know tomorrow.” Jennifer cocked her head and looked at Laura. “Do you think you and Brett should be seen together? Of course, that's your decision.” She glanced at her watch. “We better get on the road."

Laura didn't respond, and grabbed her backpack.

As they climbed into Jennifer's Ford Escape, Jennifer asked. “Have you got everything you need out of your car?"

"Yes."

"I brought a paper pad and pen this morning. I've enjoyed your classes enough to want to take notes."

As Jennifer backed up and pulled around to the driveway, Laura waved at her mother who stood at the back door. “See you this evening,” she called, out the window, then turned back to Jennifer. “I really like school. Most of my subjects right now are required to get into my major. I'm going to love it when I actually get into the real stuff. I sure didn't want to go to my Uncle's and lose all my credits."

"I don't blame you. Hopefully, it won't be necessary."

"Tell me more about Brett's encounter with Cindy."

Jennifer went into heavier detail than she had with Violet present. “Brett is willing to help us. Did you know he's a gun enthusiast and quite a sharpshooter?"

"No. But I'm happy to hear it."

"Don't let it alarm you if he carries a gun when you go out. He's got a permit."

"I can tell you, it will make me feel safer. I'm not afraid of guns,"

When they arrived at the school, Jennifer pulled into the small mall and found an empty slot overlooking the campus parking lot. Before Laura could get out, Jennifer grabbed her arm. “Hold on a second. Cindy just pulled into the lot, and Hawkman should be coming in shortly."

Laura jerked her head around and saw the red convertible entering the gate, and then pointed at the 4X4. “There he is. Doesn't appear he's too worried about her spotting him."

"At this point, he isn't. Do you have any classes with Cindy today?"

"No, tomorrow."

"Do you see her often on these off days?"

"Oh, yeah. We pass each other in the hall after each class. She takes similar subjects, just a different schedule."

"Let's avoid her as much as possible."

"Sounds good."

Jennifer noted Cindy heading toward the buildings, a couple of guys at her side. “Do you recognize the boys walking with her?"

Laura rolled her eyes. “Jason Calderidge and Blake Russell, her two slaves."

"So they're a part of her hordes?” Jennifer asked, chuckling.

"You can bet they hover over her like she's a queen."

"I think we can go now,” Jennifer said, climbing out.

Laura jumped to the pavement and hoisted the straps of the back pack over her shoulders.

"You could leave your afternoon books in here and we could come get them after lunch,” Jennifer said, picking up the sack with sandwiches and chips.

"It's okay, I'm used to carrying them. Just more on Wednesday than the other days."

They hurried over the crosswalk, waved at Hawkman as they passed, and were soon in Laura's first period of the day. Morning classes went smoothly and they didn't encounter Cindy, as they managed to stay afterwards a few seconds, while Jennifer complimented the teachers on their lectures. Instead of eating inside at the cafeteria where they might run into Laura's nemesis, they took their lunch outside. After getting sodas from one of the machines, they picked a bench in the sunshine, since the breeze still felt nippy.

"This lunch is delicious; I love the sandwich.” Laura said.

"Thank you. Glad you're enjoying it."

Laura laughed, pulling a candy bar from her sack. “You've even included a dessert. What a treat."

They tossed the debris into one of the trash cans and marched back into the near building to start the afternoon sessions.

As they walked into the corridor, Cindy stepped out in front of them, causing Laura to trip. If Jennifer hadn't caught hold of her arm, she'd have fallen flat on her face.

Straightening herself, Laura glared at Cindy. “What's the deal?"

Cindy put her fists on her hips. “Why have you been hiding from me?"

"You're crazy. Why would I?"

"Because you're afraid of what I might do to you if you keep seeing Brett."

Laura turned to Jennifer. “Let's go, I don't want to hear any more of this garbage."

"How much longer is your bodyguard going to be with you?"

Whirling, Laura pointed a finger at Cindy's nose, causing her to take a step back. “She's my cousin, and will be here as long as she wants to be. Now get out of my face."

Jennifer and Laura made it through the small crowd that had formed around the two girls.

Jennifer noticed Laura had her hands clasped into fists. “Try to be calm. You did good."

"She makes me so mad."

"Cindy has a way of upsetting many people. Me included."

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly with no more run-ins with Cindy Brown.

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Laura stood trembling as she realized Hawkman's action had saved her from being hit by Cindy's red convertible. Jennifer watched her husband jump from the 4X4 and move to the driver's side of Cindy's car.

Hawkman hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans. “You were driving a bit fast in the parking lot and I could see you were going to hit a couple of pedestrians, so I had to stop you."

She glared at him, shoved open he door, climbed out, stormed to the front of her convertible and examined the fender. “You better have insurance. My car is really scratched and bent up."

"So is mine. They'll be able to tell by the damage how fast you were traveling. You sure you want me to call my agent? More than likely you'll get a very stiff ticket."

She whirled around, and met Hawkman's stare with narrowed eyes. “Are you trying to blackmail me, so I'll keep this to myself?"

"Not at all. Just wondered how your parents would take having to pay a ticket, plus the damages on my vehicle due to their daughter speeding in the school's parking lot."

A group of students had gathered and Cindy eyed them. “You guys can all go. No one's hurt."

A boy yelled from the crowd. “Want me to contact the school security?"

"No,” Cindy called. “I'll handle the problem."

The crowd finally dispersed and she turned back to Hawkman.

"Okay, you take care of your dents and I'll get mine fixed."

"Fair enough.” Hawkman walked over to Jennifer and Laura. “You ladies okay?"

"Yes, just a bit shook up,” Laura said.

He lowered his voice as he touched the brim of his hat. “You gals move on and I'll see you at the ranch later."

The two women continued to the crosswalk and piled into Jennifer's SUV. Hawkman watched until he knew they were safe, then noticed Cindy impatiently thumbing her fingers on the steering wheel, as she waited for him to move out of the way.

"She's really concerned about others,” he mumbled as he backed up, so she'd have room to pass.

She hit the accelerator hard and raced into the street, almost hitting another vehicle. Hawkman shook his head. “The girl's losing it,” he said aloud. Slowly pulling out of the lot, he could hear metal scraping against the tire. He knew he'd have to get it fixed soon, or it would wear a hole in the rubber. Hoping Cindy would head to a garage, too, he turned into a familiar one, and had them pull the fender away from the front tire. He'd get the rest fixed when he had more time.

The day had grown late and he had no idea where Cindy had gone. He drove to her house, but didn't see her car, then to the Wallaces', where the black pickup stood in the driveway. At least she hadn't borrowed it. He decided to swing back by her residence and received a reward. She'd obviously taken her car to a body shop and her mother had picked her up in the Cadillac. They'd just driven into the garage and Hawkman spotted Cindy getting out of the passenger side. It made him wonder how she'd get to school tomorrow. He doubted she'd go on any escapade tonight, so he headed for the ranch, then he remembered Jennifer had her Ford. No sense in their disrupting the family any more than necessary. He punched in Laura's cell phone number on the hands-free device and she answered right away.

"Hi, Laura, I just wanted to tell Jennifer I'd meet her at home."

He listened a moment then nodded. “Thanks, I'll give her a buzz."

After hanging up from Laura, he called Jennifer. They'd just bought a hands-free phone for her Ford, so he felt it a good time to try it out. Took a few rings before she finally came on.

"Having a little trouble figuring out your new gadget?” He laughed. “You'll get the hang of it soon."

He grinned as he listened. “Yes, I'm heading home. Understand you have a story to tell."

"You're going to make me wait?"

"Okay, see ya in a little while. Love ya."

"She's pulling my trick, by delaying the tale,” he chuckled, as he hung up.

Jennifer had already arrived when he turned into the driveway. He parked beside her in the garage and sauntered into the kitchen.

"I picked up a couple of Subways in town. It's a little late to prepare a full-fledged dinner,” she said, putting the sandwiches onto plates with a pile of chips.

"Sounds good to me. We can talk as we feast.” He hung his hat in the Hawkman corner and placed his briefcase on the end of the counter. “Want a beer?” he asked, going to the refrigerator.

"Yes, one would go good with these."

They both sat down on the bar stools next to one another.

"It's been a rather exciting day. Wonder what Cindy thought she'd accomplish by trying to run us down in the parking lot?” Jennifer asked.

"I've given up on trying to figure out the whacky thought process that girl's mind goes through. She didn't act the least bit concerned about the whole incident."

"I'm still very concerned about Laura and Brett.” She turned to Hawkman and raised a hand. “Oh, by the way, Laura asked me a good question today and I didn't know how to answer. Told her I'd talk to you and get back to her tomorrow."

"What?"

"She wanted to know if she should take the GPS tracker off her car and put it on Brett's if they go out this weekend."

"Hmm, that's a great thought. Tell her yes. Also, for her to wear her wrist bracelet."

"Already told her, and she assured me she never takes it off."

"If they decide to follow through on this date, find out the night they're going out. I plan to stay in Medford so I can track their route very closely. This could be the time Cindy makes her move, and I don't want to be clear out here at the lake."

"Good idea. We'll both stay in town."

"You don't have to."

"I know, but I think four eyes are better than two."

"Is that the story you were going to tell me?"

She shook her head. “No.” Jennifer told him about the incident when she and Laura came in from having lunch. “We'd avoided Cindy during the morning, by speaking with the teachers a minute or two after each class. She must have spotted us going outside with our sandwiches, as she caught us by surprise right inside the door when we returned. However, I have to say, Laura can hold her own with Cindy."

"I bet it made Cindy madder than an old wet hen for Laura to stand up to her."

"We saw the evidence in the parking lot.” Jennifer took a bite, chewed for a few moments, then gazed at Hawkman. “What do you think she has in her warped mind to do to Laura?

He leaned back in his chair as he wiped his hands on a napkin. “She scares me. I have nothing to go on to pull Detective Williams into this case, but I think we're going to eventually have an attempted murder on our hands. Then I can get his help."

"Let's hope she doesn't succeed and kills one of them."

Hawkman stared at his wife. “Don't say such a thing. Nothing must happen to Laura or Brett."

"I agree, but remember you're only human.” She patted him on the arm. Why don't you tell me about what happened after we left the parking lot."

He told her about the metal scraping against his tire and how he had to drop by a garage to have them bend it out. He'd lost Cindy, but soon discovered she'd obviously taken her car to a body shop and had her mother pick her up, as they arrived home in the Cadillac. He scratched his head. “Wonder how she'll get to school tomorrow?"

"You'll find out in the morning."

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Early Thursday morning, Hawkman and Jennifer left Copco Lake in their separate vehicles. Hawkman parked a half block away from Cindy Brown's residence. He had the front of the house in full view and watched a light gray Toyota Camry pull into the driveway, while another vehicle stopped at the curb.

As he observed the interchange between Mrs. Brown and the man at the front door, he came to the conclusion she'd rented a car, and had it brought to the house for their spoiled daughter's use. When the salesman left, Cindy opened the garage door, removed the compound bow from the trunk of the Cadillac, and placed it in the rental. She dashed back into the house, then moments later returned with her backpack, hopped into the Camry, and took off.